England face Springboks in World Cup

Last updated at 12:43 12 May 2004

World champions England will face South Africa in Pool A of the 2007 World Cup.

Clive Woodward's men were one of the four top-tier teams in the draw, together with the Australia, France and New Zealand, who completed the 2003 World Cup semi-final line-up and each head their respective group.

The draw pits England and South Africa in the group stage, as was the case last year when Woodward's men won 25-6 in Perth.

England's pool also includes qualifiers from Oceania and the Americas, plus a side which wins a play-off involving teams from Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Ireland, winners of this year's Triple Crown, have been drawn in Pool D with RBS 6 Nations champions France.

The Irish were one of the group of second tier teams, together with Scotland, South Africa and Wales, which comprised the beaten quarter-finalists from 2003.

Scotland, in Pool C, will face New Zealand while the Welsh must negotiate a group that features Australia if they are to at least match their performance in the last World Cup.